Dr. Gopal Pathak is the Vice-chancellor of Sarla Birla University. He earned his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and a Master in Civil Engineering from BIT Mesra. He also has a PhD from the same institute. He joined BIT Mesra as a faculty member in 1980 and became a full-time professor of Civil Engineering in 2000. Not only has he served as the head of the department but also as Dean of Student Welfare, Dean of Faculty Development, Dean of Administration, and Dean of Campus Development. Dr. Pathak has also served as an acting Vice Chancellor at BIT Mesra. Before joining SBU, he worked with the Jharkhand University of Technology as a founding Vice Chancellor.

Sarla Birla University (SBU)

Being the VC of SBU, what is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

My philosophy of leadership is very simple. To be the Administrative Head and Academic Head of the university, I have certain responsibilities. I must make the students grow in the right direction, as far as academics and discipline are concerned. First thing during the induction program, I tell all the students to maintain four kinds of discipline. The first one is general discipline and academic discipline, which refers to being in the classroom when the classes are going on or being in the laboratory when practical classes are going on. Thereafter, the third one is financial discipline, paying your fees on time or, if you have a loan, repaying it on time. The fourth one is spiritual discipline. This is the most important one because students might become engineers, doctors, or managers, but if their character is not built up, they may not be of any use to society. I always tell them that they should understand the ethics and moral values without which they could not be good human beings. This is how I choose to guide, lead, and transform my students.

What would you like people to know about your Institute they may not know?

I always think that a university should be recognised not just for its degrees but for the calibre of graduates it produces. A university should be known for its qualities, meaning the competency of its graduates. If they are master's degree holders or researchers, what competent quality education they have and, at the same time, what their character is like are important factors. This can really contribute something to society, which is why we focus not only on academic excellence but also on character development.

What do you see as SBU 's greatest strengths?

Our biggest strength is our unwavering commitment to discipline. Whenever we find any mistakes, we accept them and collaboratively look for ways to rectify them. We do not engage in defensive posturing when errors occur; instead, we approach them with humility and a commitment to improvement.

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With the competition so high, how do you guide your students to survive in such a competitive scenario?

In the next ten years, we expect technology to have changed a lot. In the fourth industrial revolution, you must have observed the importance of artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, IoT, cyber security, cloud computing, and blockchain. This knowledge must be imparted to all the students. I always suggested to the teachers that they learn these topics and teach them to the students. We also must look into teaching the students to be ready to accept new ideas and new courses for which self-study is also required. This is equally applicable for the teachers and the students.

The Government of India, which launched the National Program on Technologically Advanced Learning being run by IIT Kharagpur, offers several types of courses. I want students to look into these courses, as they cover new topics and have been designed by IIT professors. If you do not have a good professor to cover a topic you like, you can refer to NPTEL. Online courses are the way to go, as hybrid learning is the new norm now. I tell my students to take online courses to learn new skills. NPTEL and other online courses are also cheaper, making them perfect for students struggling financially.

What are your roles and responsibilities to the students?

We have regular interaction with the teachers and with the students to have healthy relations in the college. Even personally, as head of the university, I try to interact with the students separately. Last year for 30 days, I dedicated one hour per day to mechanical engineering students and one day to computer engineering students to address their issues. This time, I have interacted with law students for the same reason. The next batch of students are the students of pharmacy, as they are the first batch and they should also understand what they are expecting from us and what the university is expecting from them. Ultimately, the goal is to make them strong people in whatever area they have chosen—law, pharmacy, engineering, or management and are good human beings who can contribute significantly to society and to the country.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

You may excel as an engineer, achieving high marks and securing a promising position in a reputable company, ultimately ensuring financial success. However, it's crucial to remember that being a good person is equally important. While money is essential for survival, it isn't the sole determinant of a fulfilling life. Cultivating a strong character is vital, allowing you to contribute positively to society.

Don't neglect your roots or the people close to you—your parents and loved ones can guide you through life's most challenging moments. Balancing progress and modernization with the preservation of traditions is key. Uphold the wisdom passed down by your ancestors as you advance in your career. I often encourage my students to study the philosophies and life of Swami Vivekananda and integrate his teachings into their own lives.